Top 9 Convenience Food Products

I love rotisserie chicken. It's not much more expensive than buying a whole chicken and cooking it yourself. And the texture and flavor are absolutely perfect. Make sure you bring it home from the supermarket immediately. I like to take the meat off when it's still warm because it's easier to work with.

Pesto is one of my absolute all-time favorite convenience foods. Which you know if you're a regular reader of this site! It's creamy, flavorful, good for you, and so delicious. It's perfect simply tossed with hot pasta, used as a sandwich spread or ingredient in salads, and makes a fabulous casserole. Use in:

• Pesto Meatballs with Orzo
• Pesto Brie Bruschetta
• Pesto Mashed Potatoes
• Chicken Pesto in Puff Pastry
• Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad
• Pesto Chicken Packets
• Pesto Pasta
• Pesto Salmon Pasta

Jarred pasta sauce, both white and red, is a fabulous convenience food. You can find it in umpteen flavors, including mushroom, onion and garlic, and even four cheese. I always have several jars of different types of pasta sauce in my pantry. It makes an instant dinner with some pasta, and adds a slow-cooked flavor to any quick dish. Use in:

• Baked Tortellini with Three Sauces
• Chicken Manicotti
• Creamy Baked Pasta
• Chicken Alfredo
• Creamy Tomato Pasta
• Cheeseburger Spaghetti
• Salmon with Fettuccine
• Completely Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs

This is probably my favorite convenience product. These little meatballs are tender and flavorful, and you don't have to worry about food safety, since they are already fully cooked. Use them in:

• Crockpot Swedish Meatballs
• Updated Meatball Stew En Casserole
• Slow Cooker Meatball Stew
• Alpine Meatballs
• Crockpot Sweet and Spicy Meatballs
• Crockpot Hoagie Sandwiches
• Meatball Casserole
• Microwave Sweet Sour Meatballs
• Pesto Meatballs with Spaghetti
• Crockpot Meatball and Potato Stew
• Hash Brown Beef Bake
• Italian Meatball Soup Dinner

I always make sure I have several of these frozen pasta products on hand. They cook in minutes, can be mixed with pasta sauce and baked without boiling, and are wonderful in pasta salads. Use these pastas in:

• Tex Mex Chicken Fettuccine
• Tomato Tortellini Soup
• Red and White Tortellini
• Tortellini Vegetable Salad
• Tortellini with Peas
• Crockpot Ravioli Stew
• Tortellini Salad Recipes

Sure, you can make puff pastry from scratch - and I have. That's why I love Pepperidge Farm products. Their puff pastry is reliably good, so easy to use, and makes wonderful recipes. Use it in:

• Chicken and Bacon in Puff Pastry
• Cranberry Turkey Puff Pastry Bites
• Puff Pastry Hearts
• Seafood in Patty Shells
• Minute Apple Tart
• Puff Pastry Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Napoleon Sandwiches

Did you know that bagged prepared salads are the second largest selling item in grocery stores? Bottled water is the only more popular product. I love this convenient food for side salads in minutes; try different varieties with various types of salad dressings. Use it in:

• Scrambled Eggs with Spinach
• BLT Wraps
• Chicken Salad with Balsamic Dressing
• Italian Bread Salad
• Turkey Cobb Salad Wraps
• Mexican Greens Salad

Beans are one of the most nutritious foods you can eat. They're full of soluble fiber, which helps reduce the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. These little beans have a fabulous texture and mild nutty flavor. Add them to just about any soup for more texture and nutrition. Stir them into salads and always use them in chili. Rinse the beans before you use them to reduce sodium content. Use in:

• Crock pot Black Bean Chili
• Black Bean Lasagna
• Black Bean and Tortellini Salad
• Tex Mex Black Bean Wraps
• Barley Black Bean Salad